Online Security

CSR Hosting

Generate CSR and Install an SSL Certificate for Dotster Hosting

In order to purchase an SSL Certificate to be used in conjunction with a Dotster Hosting account, you will need to complete the following steps prior to purchasing your SSL Certificate:

1. Purchase an Exclusive IP Address (if you don't already have one)
2. Install your Exclusive IP Address
3. Generate Your CSR and Save Your Private Key
4. Install your SSL Certificate

Purchase an Exclusive IP Address

Your website must be hosted on an Exclusive IP address in order to use an SSL Certificate. Hosting accounts by default do not include an Exclusive IP. To purchase one for $3/month, follow these directions:

For Windows and Linux Hosting:

1. Log into your account.
2. Click on My Billing.
3. Click on the Update/Modify Billing button next to the Package ID.
4. Click the Upgrade/Downgrade Resource(s) button.
5. Click the shopping cart Upgrade link to the right of "Number of IP addresses".
6. Enter the number of IP Addresses you would like to purchase in the box labeled Place Upgrade Order For (Note: Each IP address is one (1) unit). You will need 1 IP Address per SSL Certificate.
7. Click the Next button in the lower right of the page.
8. Click the Place Order button in the upper right hand corner of the page.

NOTE: It may take 15-20 minutes for your new IP addresses to be ready. Please wait for the IP address to be ready prior to attempting to install the IP.

Install Your Exclusive IP Address

For Windows Hosting:

1. When logged into your account, click My Services.
2. Click Manage Hosting Services next to the hosting package where you want to use your SSL Certificate.
3. Click Domain Overview, then Domain Administration, and then on the Domain Name where you'd like to install the Exclusive IP (and ultimately use the SSL Certificate).
4. Click the Web tab, then click Edit.
5. Select New Exclusive IP, then click Submit.

For Linux Hosting:

1. When logged into your account, click My Services.
2. Click Manage Hosting Services next to the hosting package where you want to use your SSL Certificate.
3. Click Web Space.
4. Click Website Configuration.
5. Click Edit at the bottom of the page.
6. Change IP Address Type to Exclusive IP and click Submit.

Generate Your CSR and Save Your Private Key

For Windows Hosting:

NOTE: When the CSR is generated, you MUST save the private key as well. If the private key is lost, the certificate must be reissued.

1. When logged into your account, click My Services.
2. Click Manage Hosting Services next to the hosting package where you want to use your SSL Certificate.
3. Click Domain Overview, then Domain Administration, and then on the Domain Name where you'd ultimately like to install the SSL Certificate.
4. Click the Web tab, then click Edit.
5. Go to the SSL sub-tab.
6. Select Generate CSR.
7. Complete the form with the requested information. For field definitions, click here. Bit length should always be 1024 and key type will be RSA.
8. Copy the CSR into the SSL order form, and save the private key as a text file for later use.

For Linux Hosting:

NOTE: When the CSR is generated, you MUST save the private key as well. If the private key is lost, the certificate must be reissued.

1. When logged into your account, click My Services.
2. Click Manage Hosting Services next to the hosting package where you want to use your SSL Certificate.
3. Click Web Space.
4. Go to the Certificates tab.
5. Click on Request.
6. Complete the form with the requested information. For field definitions, click here. Bit length should always be 1024 and key type will be RSA.
7. Copy the CSR into the SSL order form, and save the private key as a text file for later use.

Install Your SSL Certificate

For Windows Hosting:

1. Click My Services.
2. Click Manage Hosting Services next to the hosting package where you want to use your SSL Certificate.
3. Click Domain Overview, then Domain Administration, and then on the Domain Name where you'd like to install the SSL Certificate.
4. Click the Web tab, then click Edit.
5. Go to the SSL sub-tab.
6. Click Install Certificate.
7. Choose Clipboard and select Next.
8. Paste the Private Key that you saved earlier into the text box, then the SSL Certificate into the appropriate box. Leave CA certificate blank.
9. Click Submit and the certificate is now installed.

Note: It may take several minutes for the certificate to fully install. If after 15-20 minutes the certificate is not working properly, there is likely a problem. Contact customer support for additional assistance.

For Linux Hosting:

1. Click My Services
2. Click Manage Hosting Services next to the hosting package where you want to use your SSL Certificate.
3. Click Web Space, then Website Configuration.
4. Click the SSL tab.
5. Click Install Certificate.
6. Choose Certificate and Clipboard and hit Next.
7. Paste the Private Key and SSL Certificate into the appropriate text boxes.
8. Click Next. If what you've inputted is valid, the system will tell you that you've already installed the certificate.
9. Click Submit and the certificate is now installed.

Note: It may take several minutes for the certificate to fully install. If after 15-20 minutes the certificate is not working properly, there is likely a problem. Contact customer support for additional assistance.